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Hundreds of perennials live for more than two years, whether they appear unchanged year-round or whether they die back in the fall to return again each spring. Perennials with light colored foliage grow in shady areas, but for the most brightly colored flowers you need to plant perennials in sunny spots in your garden. Garden designers recommend choosing a specific color theme or palette that you then repeat throughout the garden and accent with contrasting or neutral-colored flowers.

Spring and Summer Color

Start your spring color with early blooming, brightly colored primroses (Primula spp.), which grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. Spring to early summer flowers also include bright red Oriental poppies (Papaver orientale) for USDA zones 3 to 7. Spring flowers that last through summer include daylilies (Hererocallis spp.), which come in bright shades of purple, red, pink, orange and yellow and grow well in USDA zones 3 through 9, or California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) in bright orange for USDA zones 1 through 10.

Fall Color

Both asters and chrysanthemums produce bright blooms in large numbers. “Purple Dome” aster (Aster novae-angilae “Purple Dome”) has blooms in many colors, including deep purple or bright pink, and grows well in USDA zones 1 through 10. Chrysanthemums include many different species, but the common variety you'll find at a nursery in USDA zones 5 through 10 will probably be florist's chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum). Bright colors include yellow, red, pink, orange, purple and chartreuse.

Warm-Toned Flowers

Dramatic and energized reds, yellows and oranges may overwhelm your garden. Use them in moderation. In early spring, try bright yellow forsythia (Forsythia viridissima), for USDA zones 5a through 10, paired with bright red tulips, such as “Fuselier” (Tulipa praestans “Fuselier”). Later in the season, black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida), with bright golden flowers and black centers, blooms through to fall in USDA zones 4 through 9. Also blooming late spring through fall is cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), with bright red tubular flowers on erect stems in USDA zones 2 through 9.

About the Author

Susan Lundman began writing about her passions of cooking, gardening, entertaining and recreation after working for a nonprofit agency, writing grants and researching child development issues. She has written professionally for six years since then. Lundman received her M.A. from Stanford University.